Spain is an exciting place to be this week as ARCO Madrid descends on the capital city, bringing with it a coterie of international galleries exhibiting their wares. Local venues pull out all the stops when a major art fair comes to town, and so we’ve put together this guide to make sure you see the very best that Madrid’s art scene has to offer.
Let’s start with the back-to-back exhibitions opening today at Galería Cayón: In “Homage to the Square,” master colorist Josef Albers’ seminal geometric works are on display, and in “Virtual Solo,” the focus is on the influential Venezuelan Op artist Jesús Rafael Soto. Neither of these 20th century heavy-hitters are to be missed. Next, head to Galería Javier López & Fer Francés to take in the wild, funny works of Anton Henning, featuring familiar faces like you’ve never seen them before—in this case, a lovingly painted Homer Simpson, looking more depressed than usual.
You can find more contemporary painting at Galeria Marta Cervera, currently presenting a group show of four very different artists, each with a decisively unique point of view. Be sure to check out the scribbly, music-inspired works by Despina Stokou, whose bold marks and bright swaths of color come together in strongly expressive paintings. When you’ve had your fill, go to Galería Leandro Navarro for a solo show of Jorge Castillo, who presents melancholic, mysterious landscapes. If you’re more in the mood for sculpture, then Galería Elvira González is a good bet, with its exhibit of life-sized, figurative works by Juan Muñoz. Lastly, if something more classic is more what you’re after, head to one of the greatest museums of the world, the Museo Prado, and be sure to spend plenty of time in its current blockbuster exhibit dedicated to the French painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
The good news? They serve dinner very late in Spain, so you’ve got plenty of time to explore, see art, and be inspired before you settle down for tapas and wine.
Josef Albers, Double Homage to the Square (1957). Courtesy of Galería Cayón,
Exhibition: “Homage to the Square”
When: February 25–April 1, 2016
Where: Galería Cayón, 84 Orfila 10, Madrid, Spain
Jesús Rafael Soto, s/t (white and yellow) (c. 1979) Courtesy of Galería Cayón.
Exhibition: “Virtual Soto”
When: February 25–April 1, 2016
Where: Galería Cayón, 84 Orfila 10, Madrid, Spain
Juan Muñoz, installation view. Courtesy of Galería Elvira González.
Exhibition: “Juan Muñoz”
When: January 20–March 30, 2016
Where: Galería Elvira González, General Castaños 3, Madrid, Spain
Anton Henning, Portrait No. 444 (2015). Courtesy of Galería Javier López & Fer Francés.
Exhibition: “Anton Henning”
When: February 22–May 11, 2016
Where: Galería Javier López & Fer Francés, Guecho 12 B, Madrid, Spain
Jorge Castillo, En Suecia, “El escondrijo” (2014–2015). Courtesy of Galería Leandro Navarro.
Exhibition: “Jorge Castillo: En Suecia”
When: January 14–March 1, 2016
Where: Galería Leandro Navarro, Amor de Dios, 1, Madrid, Spain
Exhibition: “Group Show: Sadie Bening, Marcel Eichner, Despina Stokou, Dean Levin”
When: February 23–April 2, 2016
Where: Galeria Marta Cervera, C/ Valencia 28, Madrid, Spain
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Grande Odalisque (1814). Courtesy of Museo del Prado.
Exhibition: “Ingres”
When: Through March 27, 2016
Where: Museo del Prado, 28, Felipe IV Street, Madrid, Spain
Candida Höfer, Benediktinerstift Altenburg VI (2014). Courtesy of Galería Helga De Alvear.
Exhibition: “Candida Höfer: The Space, The Detail, The Image”
When: January 28–April 3, 2016
Where: Galería Helga De Alvear, Doctor Fourquet 12, Madrid, Spain